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Schools to remain close

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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Form three exam starts today.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

ALL schools in the country will remain close due the current community transmission of the deadly virus.

This was echoed by the Secretary to Prime Minister Dr Jimmie Rodgers in a radio talk back show on the SIBC in Honiara.

Rodgers said the Covid-19 Oversight Committee will wait for recommendation from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development later this month to re-look on the school calendar for 2022 regard in when schools will start.

“But at this point in time all school will continue to close due to community Transmission but please listen out for the outcome of the recommendation mentioned above,” he said.

Isabel faces nurse shortage

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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Buala hospital

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Buala Health and Medical team is currently facing shortage of nurses to serve at rural clinics and rural communities.

Director of Health Buala, Dr Tony Quity in his recent interview with Island Sun said that they have plans in place for covid-19 operations, but currently they are facing shortage of nurses.

He said some of their nurses are currently stranded in Honiara due to the community transmission and cannot go back to the province to resume work.

Dr Quity said only a few nurses are currently working at the Buala hospital and are monitoring the situation in Buala.

Since community transmission continues to increase, the limited nurses are stretched themselves in the situation.

“They understand the situation faced by communities in Isabel but it is beyond their control,” Dr Quity said.

He also confirmed that they are planning to visit communities within the province, but depend very much on the resources they have.

Therefore, they are calling on the communities to continue to listen for advices and adhere to the advices given out by Health authorities and the government in the fight against covid.

New cemetery for Noro

Written by
Ben Bilua
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BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

NORO COVID-19 Oversight Committee is working closely with the Western Provincial government to clear a provincial land at the Mbaeroko area for a new cemetery.

Chairman of Noro COVID-19 Oversight Committee, Inspector Robert Hickie said consultation was done with a Lands Officer, former Clerk of Noro Town Council and a surveyor to carry out physical mapping of the area.

He said the cemetery is important as the country is experiencing wide spread community transmission of COVID-19.

“This is a long standing issue for Noro for the last 20years, thus, no time to waste but to push this project to reality.

“We really need to have a proper cemetery for Noro Town,” Hickie said.

He said his committee is trying to fast track negotiations for machineries to clear the area immediately.

Hickie said his committee applauds the Western Provincial Government for identifying  surveyors who will conduct the demarcation and plotting of the land.

West to scout for health workers

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Gizo Hospital

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

PREMIER of Western Province says his government is looking at possibilities to employ retired and newly graduate nurses to fill the shortage of manpower.

Speaking to the media this week, Premier Christian Burley Mesepitu said consultation is underway with the Western Health and Medical team to see the plan executed.

“As we are experiencing shortage of nurses, my government is willing to employ any retired nurses as well as newly graduated nurses,” he said.

Mesepitu also said that there is a possible longer period lockdown to allow the health team to carry out province-wide contact tracing and swabbing in communities.

He said the lockdown will be announced as soon as formalities are done according to law.

“I want to give this piece of information in advance so that people can stock up needed foods and other needs ahead of the lockdown,” Mesepitu said.

He said there will be no inter-island travels and the general public are urged to remain in their homes.

Mesepitu calls on people doing nothing at the urban centers especially Noro, Munda and Gizo to return to their respective communities before any hard lockdown is enforced.

“I urge our good people who have nothing important to do in our urban centers to return home. This is important as it will address overcrowding in homes and more importantly help families to ration food supplies during this challenging time,” he said.

Mbokonavera residents jabbed

Written by
Admin
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A resident taking her first shoot/Jab during the day, while crowd waiting for vaccination. Photo; Raymond Hulanga. Date: 10/02/22.

Mbokonavera 4 residents in Honiara have received their vaccination on Thursday.

The vaccination rollout program was organized between the MB4 community task force committee and the Health promotion department of the Ministry of Health and Medical services (MHMS).

There were a lot of residents and other surrounding communities who came in came numbers to get their jabs (Nila).

Amongst those who took their vaccines were children from 12 years old – 17 years old, Pregnant women, adults and even the elderly.

Some took the opportunity to take their first dose, while others came for their second jab. However, some of them even came for their booster dose or the third dose of the Vaccine.

Vice- Chairman of the task force committee and also community elder, Walter Kouto said the vaccination rollout was a successful one after there were some consultations and arrangements done by the MB4 community committee and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) at his closing remarks.

“I really want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the Ministry of Health, and his team for responding to our call for vaccination in our community,” he said.

He also encourages and urges other surrounding communities to do similar arrangements and consultations as they (MB4 Committee) have done.

“It is easy and simple. I encourage other communities; please do proper consultations and arrangements with the ministry of Health & Medical services for vaccination in your communities.

“Please arrange and consult on how your community should apply all Health safety measures, and they will respond to your call for vaccination in your homes,” Kouto added.

On behalf of the community the Chairman also thank members of the community for their contributions, cooperation and good behavior shown during the day to support Health staffs and officers to perform their duty to vaccinate their people without any disturbances and unlawful activities.

“I acknowledge members of the community and the public for your patience, good behavior and cooperation shown during the vaccination period. It is very important to allow everyone in our community to get vaccinate. This is to protect our community, families and loved ones, and even our country as a whole,” the elder stressed.

Meanwhile, Mbokonavera 4 community compromises of 3 Zones respectively, and is one of the big communities in Vavaya ward in central Honiara and Honiara City Council (HCC).

RAYMOND HULANGA

Freelance journalist

COVID cases in East Are’Are stable

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Director of Malaita Health, Dr Rex Maukera.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Auki

CHAIRMAN of the Emergency Operation Centre Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera said cases of COVID-19 in east Areare are stable despite the presence of the virus in certain communities within the constituency.

In an interview this week, Dr Maukera said a health team is on the ground and they will continue to liaise with the EOC at Kilu’ufi hospital in Auki on the situation there.

Maukera said since this week no cases of severity were reported on cases in the constituency, thus cases are mild and they continue to be monitored, although it is challenging.

He said the team continues to provide support to the communities, especially on covid-19 safety measures required to be taken to stop the further spread of the virus to other communities.

Maukera also uttered similar statement for other parts of the province that were affected by the virus as they continue to liaise and monitor their situations as well.

He said that generally there are stable condition for cases across the province, although a very few cases are reported with severe status so far.

Dr Maukera also said recovery of positive cases continues to be reported for the province despite a surge of cases reported for Malaita province.

He said the provincial health team continues to support and liaise with communities in the province and ask everyone’s support, especially to adhere to covid-19 measures during this situation.

Low swab for Auki in the past week

Written by
Samie Waikori
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Kiluufi hospital

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI

MALAITA Provincial Emergency Operation Centre for covid-19 at Kilu’ufi hospital has reported that low swabs were taken for Auki township this week.

Chairman of EOC Malaita, Dr Rex Maukera made the statement when asked about the declining number of covid-19 cases reported earlier this week for Auki compared to last week.

He said the decline doesn’t mean there is a curtail on the transmission in Auki, but due to the low number of swabs taken in Auki earlier this week.

Maukera said the rationale for that was covid-19 testing carried out at Kilu’ufi hospital is voluntarily, and it is an individual’s choice to do their test although it is encouraged.

He said also there is a decline on operation for Auki due to human resource, since most of their staff were deployed to East Are Are, Small Malaita and other parts of the province that reported cases.

He also said there are a smaller number of staffs at the hospital and clinics in the province, and they were tasked to man for general illnesses.

According to Maukera, although they are faced with challenges they are planning and doing the best they can to assist people during this situation.

Maukera encouraged people in the province, especially in Auki to voluntarily get their test to know of their status since the virus is prevalent in Auki and other parts of the province.

He said testing is important to track the virus and helps to reduce the current spread of the virus in the province.

Isabelians encouraged to eat from their food garden

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE Provincial Secretary of Isabel Province John Lokumana says people should rely on their food gardens while awaiting the provincial livelihood team to be activated.

Responding to concerns raised by some communities within Isabel Province, PS Lokumana said due to financial difficulties faced by the province, people should rely on foods from their garden (local food).

“Our livelihood team is yet to be activated but even then, we have no financial support as yet to activate and facilitate the livelihood committee roles and responsibilities”, PS Lokumana said.

He said any lockdown enforced at their community should be lifted to give them access to the sea and even visit their food garden.

“We at Buala still survive with local food provided by the nearby villages and they should also do the same while waiting for rescue which is still to come or may not come at all”, PS Lokumana said.

He also said the medical or Health team cannot attend to swabbing or contact tracing due to no fuel.

Officers complete first week of firearm training

Written by
Press Release
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RSIPF members undergoing training recently

National Response Department (NRD) officers of the Royal Solomon Island Police Force (RSIPF) currently undertaking armed offender training in Australia will be participating in practical scenarios and assessments.

The practical scenarios and assessments include:

·         Members responding to a critical incident and are required to assess the situation and provide a situation report detailing their observations, actions taken, proposed actions and what additional support is required;

·         Method of movement, use of cover and concealment and the introduction of stimulus response;

·         Rehearsing various tactics for use in a variety of circumstances and environments; and

·         Introduced in dealing with Improvised Explosive Devices.

The Active Armed Offender training concluded on Friday 4 February 2022, and brought together all elements introduced during the week. 

Members were required to demonstrate search and contact drills through response to stimulus, incident management and application of medical assistance.

Officer in Charge of the Operational Safety Team, Gary Hahn, who is overseeing the delivery of the training said he is impressed with the skills the RSIPF members have commenced the course with, and the level of commitment being shown by the contingent and the quality of the new skills being acquired by RSIPF officers.

NRD Deputy Director, Superintendent Lionel Kapisa commended the team on what was done very well and the acquiring many new skills.

The team’s new abilities to deal with critical incidents that may arise, which further develop the capabilities in response management.

RSIPF armourer, Constable Chivas Babasia, said the new drills acquired would provide further security for the RSIPF. 

Chivas noted that the training further strengthened the bond between team members and ensured the team worked well together to deal with all aspects required in a critical incident response. 

Negotiation on Nusatupe quarantine facility on

Written by
Ben Bilua
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Nusa Tupe Island

BY BEN BILUA
Gizo

WESTERN Provincial Government and the Western Provincial Disaster Operation Committee are trying to strike a deal with the owner of Nusatupe Quarantine facility.

The negotiation came as a previous deal was abandoned due to disagreement between the parties after renovation was done to the building.

Chairperson of WPDOC said Western Province has spent money and efforts to upgrade Nusatupe Quarantine site however, the situation that follows led to deregistration of the site due to fail agreements.

“Upgrading of Nusatupe Quarantine facility was done in good faith between the owner, National Disaster Management office and Western Province but after completing the renovation the lease was very expensive and that forced the Western provincial government to abandon the site based on the fact that the lease was very expensive.

“Province also cancel the gazette that certified Nusatupe as a quarantine facility as one of the sites to quarantine people,” he explained.

Wickham said the increasing need for quarantine facilities due to the increase number of positive cases in Western Province has forced WPDOC and the province to renegotiate with the owner of the Nusatupe facility.

He said there is green light to use the Nusatupe Quarantine Facility anytime from now.

“We managed to review the Nusatupe quarantine site with the hope there will be positive respond coming from the government,” Wickham said.

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